AS I SEE IT: Extreme Reunion dissappointment

The heavily promoted Extreme Reunion took place this past Saturday night at the Northeast National Guard Armory in Philadelphia.

To call it a disappointment would be a start.

Things began from bad and went to worse. Sabu was rushed tothe hospital after Trevose, PA Police were dispatchedafter the hotel manager where Sabu was staying said they felt he was”intoxicated” when paramedics were called. His room waschecked Shane Douglas and others couldn’t get in touch with Sabu. TMZ.comreported that Sabu “had a bad reaction to a medication he’d beentaking” (likely translation was either an accidental overdose of somethinghe was taking).

So there’s the main event with one less participant.

Then Justin Credible was apparently in no condition toperform backstage, to the point that he was kicked out of the locker room. It wasreported he had passed out backstage.

So…two major names. not there.

As hyped the week before, the show turned out to be a sell-out, crowd estimated at 2,100 fans.

The show started late due to the State Commission doctorarriving late; and one would assume, the need to rebook the show.

* The Dramatics defeated Philly’s Most Wanted via pinfall

* The FBI defeated the BWO via pinfall

* CW Anderson defeated Al Snow via pinfall

* Axl Rotten defeated Balls Mahoney via pinfall

* Angel of The Baldies cut a promo. The Gangstas hit the ring, followed by abrawl, and Philly’s Most Wanted came in to make the save. New Jack made acomeback and brawled with Ruckus. Angel worked over Mustafa as Jeez and Ruckusworked over Jack.

* Raven vs. Pitbull Gary Wolfe was up next. Raven came out with Flock version4.0 (my phrase), including a physically challenged wrestler, called him”Cripple H.” Raven cut an anti-ECW promo, saying “reunions arefor “f**s and morons.” Raven’s “Flock” jumped Wolfe. Ravenkept on with his anti-ECW promo and worked over Wolfe some more. “EnterSandman” played and out came Sandman for his grand entrance and the save.Sandman was laid out and beaten with by a large muscular guy. Wolfe and themuscle guy brawled which became the “match”. The finish saw Wolfe hita sitdown slam for the pinfall.

* In the one match that approached what the crowd thought it was getting lastnight. Jerry Lynn defeated Devon Storm via pinfall. Both worked as they bothstill can and gave an old-school ECW style brawl with spots, which is all theywanted all night.

* Given Sabu’s absence In the main event, Shane Douglas defeated thereplacement 2 Cold Scorpio. The match had a cluster$#@k finish with two maskedmen, namely Kevin Sullivan and Tod Gordon. Shane won via pinfall after atwisting sunset flip and pinned Scorpio.

Understandably, the reaction of the crowd was not good, based on the latestart, and Sabu’s no-show for the main event, with chants of “F*** youShane” and “Refund.” At one point earlier on, there was even achant of “End this show”. Douglasfired back on the mike with telling the crowd “he works them,not the other way around.” In the middle of all this, Douglasdid acknowledge what had happened with Sabu.

OK…rule one. If you have a pissed off crowd… eggingthem on, even if some of what happened to piss them off wasn’t your fault, isnot the smartest thing to do. In the early days of ECW, no-shows were announcedearly, so that those who wanted to get refunds could get them. Most times, theynever did. Waiting until the end of the show to announce what anyone with asmartphone had found out, either before or during the show…. is unacceptable.

Rule two: apologize to fans and tell them how you’re goingto make good…as best you can. Most times they’ll cut you a break.

But as much as this show was hyped…and it was hypedwell, even with local spot TV advertising; God only knows what willhappen with the second announced show in early summer. Given the onlinereaction, many won’t be back, save bringing someone in like Terry Funk, or atleast getting Tommy Dreamer to change his mind about doing further reunionshows.

It’s sad that this could have had so much potential forfuture shows to slowly swing from ECW talent, to featuring other localtalent; such as Philly’s Most Wanted (who were used on this show)

Until next time…

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